FESTIVE GIFT GUIDE THE
2012
sofas. carpets. beds. dining. bedroom. homewares.
Incredible Savings Throughout The Stores Cousins boast three of the largest furniture stores in the UK. Whether your taste is contemporary, traditional, modern or classical, Cousins have the answer. The choice is enormous, all beautifully displayed in inspirational room settings. Put that alongside incredibly low prices on all items throughout the stores including all the famous brand names, you will have the ultimate shopping experience.
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Birmingham Warwick Road, Tyseley. B11 2EW. 5
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WIN THE PERFECT STOCKING FILLER! Spice up your Christmas this year with Encona Sauces! Inspired by recipes from around the world, these versatile sauces are guaranteed to fire up the flavour in all your favourite dishes from soups to meat to salads, and make the ideal stocking filler for food-lovers. Or why not try adding a dash of Encona Thai Sweet Chilli sauce to your leftover turkey and enjoying it with salad in a wrap as a Boxing Day treat! We’re giving 50 lucky readers the chance to win a bottle of Encona Sauce in the flavour of their choice! To enter, simply email your favourite flavour (if you need inspiration, visit www.enconasauces.co.uk to see the whole range) along with your name, address, email address and daytime telephone number, to competition@gracefoods.co.uk, including ‘Encona Festive Gift Guide competition’ in the subject of your email. The closing date is midnight on November 30th 2012. Terms & conditions: All entries will be entered into a free prize draw. The 50 winners will be drawn at random. No purchase necessary. Only one entry per household. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Republic of Ireland, aged 16 years old or over at the time of entry. It excludes employees of Grace Foods UK, their families, agents or companies associated with the prize draws. Prizes are offered as stated and are non-exchangeable or transferable. No cash alternatives will be provided. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or suspend any prize at any point, without liability to the prize-givers or winners. The promoter’s decision is final on all matters and no further correspondence will be entered into. Each prize comprises one 142ml glass bottle or 285ml top-down squeezy pack of the existing Encona Sauce range.
CONTENTS CULINARY DELIGHTS - CHRISTMAS ISN’’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A FEAST CULINARY DELIGHTS - CHRISTMAS ISN’’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A FEAST GIFT GADGETRY - TECH YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT GIFT GADGETRY - TECH YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT CAMERA KIT - FUTURE VISIONS CAMERA KIT - FUTURE VISIONS CLOTHES SHOW LIVE - BRITAINS BIGGEST FASHION SHOW IS BACK CLOTHES SHOW LIVE - BRITAINS BIGGEST FASHION SHOW IS BACK COMPUTING & INTERNET - HARDWARE AND COOL ACCESSORIES COMPUTING & INTERNET - HARDWARE AND COOL ACCESSORIES FILM & TV - HOT FLICKS AND TV SERIES ON BLUERAY AND DVD FILM & TV - HOT FLICKS AND TV SERIES ON BLUERAY AND DVD GAME TIME - CONSOLE YOURSELF WITH THIS RANGE OF NEW GAMES GAME TIME - CONSOLE YOURSELF WITH THIS RANGE OF NEW GAMES EATING OUT - BITES TO DELIGHT EATING OUT - BITES TO DELIGHT SHOPPING - WEATHER YOU’RE BASHING THE PLASTIC OR JUST LOOKING SHOPPING - WEATHER YOU’RE BASHING THE PLASTIC OR JUST LOOKING VISUAL ARTS - UK’S TOP SPOTS VISUAL ARTS - UK’S TOP SPOTS
CULINARY DELIGHTS
MAGIMIX VISION 2-SLICE TOASTER An extra wide slot to pop your bread in allows for even the chunkiest of loaves inside it, but the crowning glory of the Magimix Vision is the way it holds your bread perfectly in a clear window that allows you to gaze on until your toast hits that perfect level of golden. £145.00 – www.johnlewis.com
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a feast, so we look at the latest gadgets and utensils to help you cook up a storm in the kitchen.
WARING PDM112U DRINKS MAKER Go over all Americana with this drinks maker which is perfect for whipping up some frothy ‘shakes. With a cast metal base and stainless steel mixing cup it is super durable and can also be used for all sorts of other things like smoothies, fruit drinks and cocktails. £119.99 – www.electricshopping.com
JOSEPH JOSEPH INDEX ADVANCE Sick of the way you normally categorise your chopping boards? Thought so. Check out this cool and interesting set from Joseph Joseph that helps you quickly get to the correct chopping board whether you are preparing veg, fish, raw meat or cooked food. From £45.00 – www.josephjoseph.com
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T BOX ING GIF TAR DIN t of world class S IN L the gif MICHE r gift ved one helin sta Give a lo ne of these Mic ichelino M h 5 food wit h a choice of 2 f it e likes o boxes. W taurants from th chhar o s K re l d tu e A rr d sta an new Ramsey ld taste buds a g Gordon ive the o re in the buzzin g n a c l a you . Some que rura s e lif re f tu o ic e p leas others in er know, they , lis o p o metr ou nev dings. Y h them. surroun u wit o y e .com k ta martbox might – www.s £169.00
SUSHI MAKING WORKS HOP WITH YO! SUSHI FOR TWO Sushi is a big deal, we all know this. Why not try your hand at the fascinating skill behind making it. Work with an experienced YO! Sushi chef to learn how to make maki, mini ISO and nigiri among others. With locations around the UK this a fun workshop that will also hand you a new skill. £50.00 – www.buyagift.co.u k
ANTONIO CARLUCCIO: THE COLLECTION Learn to cook Italian the real way with the Godfather of Italian food. Carluccio has a no nonsense approach to cooking proper Italian dishes. He covers the different regions of Italy, taking you on a culinary journey with beautiful, simple and joyful home cooking. £16.80 – www.waterstones.com
R-EVOLUTION CUISINE KIT Feel like a kid getting his first science set with this introduction kit to molecular gastronomy. Put on your best Heston glasses as you use this funky piece of kit to change the textures of sauces, make foams and ‘airs’ and drip beads of food from your pipette that burst in the mouth. £49.99 – www.selfridges.com
VIPP 205 MILK JUG The new range of Vipp ceramics are a stylish and unique way to liven up your kitchen. Other items available in the series are espresso and coffee/ tea cups, a bowl, brunch dish and egg ring. Made in co-operation with Danish ceramist Annemette Kissow this is Scandinavian design at its best. £30.00 – www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com
DELONGHI VINTAGE ICONA KETTLE GREEN Retro is in and you can match the old with the new with this vintage-style Delonghi kettle. The 50’s Italian design coupled with a range of gorgeous vintage colours adds a touch of class to your morning brew. £79.99 – www.lakeland.co.uk
GIFT GADGETRY
Tech that you just cannot live without, whether you are looking for a handy tablet, wireless speakers, or a hot 3D printer.
Microsoft Surface Gates and Co's 'iPad killer' is a worthy entrant to the tablet market. Running Windows RT (and soon Windows 8 Pro) on its 10.6 inch HD display, it is a timeless piece of slimline engineering that looks the part with it's multicoloured silicon keyboard, gun-metal VaporMg casing and kickstand. Basically it has everything needed to give Apple a run for its money. Sporting a USB port, microSD slot and HD video out port, it marries office productivity to Xbox and social media to apps and the SkyDrive cloud – giving the Surface a native 'ecosystem' to rival its competitors. Apple iPad Mini Squeezing iPad’s seamless OS into a smaller tablet was a masterstroke. A 7.9 inch LED backlit display and, at 7.2mm, 23 per cent thinner than its big brother – the Mini can be stashed in your shoulder bag with ease. 1080p HD camera with automatic stabilisation and built-in FaceTime so you can video call to your heart’s content. Weighty 10 hour battery life gives you plenty of time to play with it at the office, at home or on your journey. Supports dual-band Wi-Fi with speeds up to 150Mbps, quicker than previous iPads. A little beauty.
Amazon Kindle Fire tablet Kicking the Apple fanboys into touch is this seven-inch display tablet from Amazon. The Kindle Fire has a dualcore 1.2Ghz chip and dual-band Wi-Fi for less than £200. Sales in the US in its first three months were between 4.5 million and six million. Driving that success is access to films, music, ebooks, apps and games through the company’s online stores. Long battery life (11 hours say the manufacturers) and a frontfacing camera for Skype calls make this a serious contender. Comes in 16Gb and 32Gb models.
Sonos Play:3 You've seen Janelle Monae and her friends bopping along to the beats from this lil thing now experience it for yourself. Wireless speakers give you the freedom to carry your music to any room in the house, you can even control it via your smartphone. Link in to your digital music library or browse online radio and podcasts. Set up the wireless network with one touch. Simple and powerful. Bang and Olufsen Beolit12 Classy high-end wireless speaker from the kings of upmarket audio. B&O may not make the cheapest systems but they ensure that you get bang for your buck with incredible build quality and components. Attaches a 120W digital class D power amp to a four-inch woofer and a couple of two-inch tweeters. Offering eight hours of wired or four hours of wireless battery time, connect via PC, phone or tablet and party on.
Jawbone Jambox and BigJambox Simply one of the most powerful and sophisticated wireless speakers you can get for your mobile device. Stream HD audio through Bluetooth from across the room. BigJambox promises battery life of 15 hours and both models come in a variety of eye-catching colours. Enjoy hands-free calls via Skype, Google Talk and FaceTime too. Boasts 3D sound with incredible depth via LiveAudio. Philips GoGear Connect 3 Dutch electronics giants Philips release the equivalent of the Android version of the iPod Touch and hit the mark. Download apps via Wi-Fi and listen to audio formats ranging from the lowly MP3 to the lossless FLAC audio file. Lightweight and funky, it also offers 720p video playback and built in surround sound.
Ultimaker Offers one of the largest printing areas of personal 3D printers: an 8.2 inch cube. Ultimaker comes as a DIY kit and runs open source software as well as commercial software. Do not be put off by the DIY aspect as it requires no special skills to construct and is one of the fastest and most detailed printers on the market. Prints using ABS (a polymer used in car bumpers, recyclable) and PLA (biodegradable and made from corn starch or sugar), both in a range of colours. Build it, plug it in, create.
Formlabs Form1 Seriously cool piece of kit that uses stereolithography (high resolution 3D printing) to create beautiful and practical objects. Plus it looks so damn good – the Mac of the 3D printing world. Ideally useful for the semiprofessional designer or engineer to construct working models, it uses resin rather than extruded plastics, it will still find its way into amateur hands as one of the most powerful desktop systems out there.
Cubify Cube One of the most stylish 'out of the box' 3D printers on the market. The Cube may only print smaller objects (out of a 5.5 inches cube of extruded plastic) but it comes with easy to use software and a range of 25 creations from top designers. Colourful, practical and simple are the Cube's keywords. Free apps and print designs can be downloaded to your desktop and replicated quickly.
RUN ONE LAP ON A BIGGER TRACK.
Shannon Coates, Timex Multisport Team
New Timex Ironman® Run Trainer™ For more information: www.findstockist.co.uk / 0845 838 7573 www.timex.co.uk With Speed and Distance powered by GPS, the Run Trainer™ system gives you the freedom to run anywhere. Just press start and enjoy your run. Official Timing Sponsor:
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©2011 Timex Group USA, Inc. TIMEX, TRIATHLON, RUN TRAINER and HOW FAR WILL YOU TAKE IT? are trademarks of Timex Group B.V. and its subsidiaries. IRONMAN and M-DOT are registered trademarks of World Triathlon Corporation. Used here by permission. Photo by Tim Tadder.
CAMERA KIT: FUTURE VISIONS Capture the best images with the latest
high-tech cameras and visual equipment.
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3. CANON 5D MARK III (1.) Setting standards is Canon’s 5D Mk III. Digital sensors are what you should look for in any professional set up and the Mk III has a 22.3 megapixel CMOS with an ISO (or light sensitivity) that goes up to an incredible 102,400. Shoot up to half an hour of broadcast quality full-HD video at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second or stills at six frames per second. You’ll pay handsomely for the privilege (£2,000+) but believe us, it’s worth it. www.canon.co.uk LYTRO LIGHT FIELD CAMERA (2.) An exceptional box of tricks that some might argue takes all the fun out of photography. What you get for your money (about £250) is an ingenious piece of camera tech that allows you to refocus pictures after you take them to totally change the emphasis of your images. Lytro does this by capturing all of the
light traveling in one direction in both 2D and 3D modes, making what the creators call ‘living pictures’. www.lytro.com VIO POV CAMERA (3.) Point of view cameras are ideal for filming from a first person perspective and getting eye-level action. The VIO cam has serious pedigree. Chosen by Ridley Scott’s production team as a high definition helmet cam, it slotted into the cinematic epic ‘Prometheus’ without a glitch. Filming 1080p, the durable camera head can be attached almost anywhere. www.vio-pov.com GO PRO HERO 3 HD (4.) Durability is the watchword of Go Pro’s Hero series – one for extreme sports fans everywhere. This range of HD cameras comes with an impressive array of
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4. housings, mounts, harnesses and other accessories so you can attach it to high performance bikes, kayaks, safety helmets or even diving gear – with a water resistant case. Fun and sturdy cams with a great reputation. www.gopro.com 4K ‘ULTRA HD’ KIT 4K is the future of HD video. ‘Full HD’ operates at 1,920 lines horizontal resolution, so in 4K (operating at double the horizontal resolution) pictures are so pin-sharp they hurt. Film kit is restricted to people with really deep pockets at the minute. You’d be paying more than £10,000 for a camera, but Sony has projectors and upscaling blu-ray players that work in 4K and other manufacturers are producing 4K TVs, so you can see cinema-quality images in your home without breaking the bank.
Clothes Show Live Special FOR fashion enthusiasts, the event of the year is undoubtedly the Clothes Show Live. Now in it’s twenty third year, the Clothes Show Live has been pulling in the crowds since its inaugural show in London in 1989. If you’re a fashion student, wannabe model, budding stylist, make-up artist, hairdresser, or even if you just like fashion, then a visit to the Clothes Show Live should be on your to-do list. This year, the show takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, between 7 and 11 December. There’s loads going on, from amazing catwalk shows, to top tips from the fashion professionals, as well as an array of stores where you can pick up the latest trends at bargain prices. This is the ideal shopping trip pre-Christmas to make sure you grab a stylish present for the important people in your life. But with so much packed into one event, how to decide what to do? We’ve got the lowdown on what’s happening at this year’s event, so you can choose what shows and stores and are a must see. This year’s official fashion ambassador and model is Daisy Lowe. Called “the new style icon of her generation” by Vivienne Westwood, Daisy has been modelling since she was just two years old, and was signed to Select model agency at 16 when she was spotted in Camden Town. She’s featured in more than 30 major fashion campaigns, so there isn’t much she doesn’t know about fashion and style. Serious shopping
Once you’ve got your fill of Daisy, there’s a whole load of shopping to be done. Whether you’re after hair and beauty products, chic and trendy jewellery and accessories, designer bargains or the first chance to get hold of the latest high street trends, there’s something for everyone. Our top tips are Tatty Devine jewellery – the original and best quirky designs in necklaces, earrings and loads more. If you like your make-up a bit on the wild side, then make sure to check out the Illamasqua store, an English brand with a great line of novel nail varnish colours with names like Phallic, Scorn and Bacterium. Plus, there’s a selection of designers, including H! by Henry Holland, as well as loads of boutiques and vintage stores, to browse.
Britain's biggest catwalk and fashion design event is back in Birmingham so get your ticket and read our guide to the best in show. Fashion Forward If you really love fashion and harbour fantasies of becoming a designer, stylist or fashion writer, then the Clothes Show Live is a great place to get some real insider tips. Get yourself over to the Image Catwalk to see the next season’s best styles at the Virtual High Street Catwalk. There will be a load of well known high street brands sending their looks down the runway so you can get a jump on the new trends that will be all over the place come Spring.
Graduate Shows Be sure not to miss the Graduate Shows; some of the best new fashion talent around will be showcasing their entire collections. Picked especially by the Clothes Show team for their talent and potential, these are the Catwalk clever designers to watch, and once they’re the If you’re not just going for the shopping, hottest front row in Paris, London, Milan and then one show you can’t miss is the Fashion New York, you can really impress everyone Theatre. The centrepiece of this fashion when you tell them about the time you saw extravaganza, more than 40 dancers and their catwalk show before anyone else. If models will be performing, showcasing that’s not enough new fashion talent, the some of the best and most outrageous designers will also be interviewed live on fashions around. There will also be surprise stage, so you’ll get exclusive insights into celebrity guests and musical performances. their design process and inspirations. Every ticket includes entrance to the show and it runs at least five times each day, so Style Studio whatever else you’ve got planned, there’s This could be the most exciting part of the no excuse to miss it! And, if you’re there on whole event, and promises to provide some Monday, then you’ll also get the chance to lucky visitors with a brand new look. The see JLS perform before the catwalk action Style Studio has something going on every starts. day, with interviews with industry experts, including top hair stylist Lee Stafford and
reality TV star turned fashion designer Gemma Collins. But the really good stuff is the live demonstrations in hair and make-up techniques from some of the very best in the business. They’ll be picking volunteers from the audience to show everyone how to achieve some of the stunning looks seen on the catwalks and in fashion editorials. There will be info on the latest trends in hair and make up, as well as the styles that will be sticking around and what you should ditch from your wardrobe. To help you make the most of the tips, there will also be a session on colour trends and tones that suit your colouring. You can also expect live music performances and exclusive giveaways. If you’re feeling daring, you should visit the Stop and Chop area, where you could get a haircut from some of the best-known hairdressers around. Be warned though, this is definitely not for the faint hearted, and there won’t be any quick trims. If you’re brave enough, and they pick you from the crowd, you’ll get a really drastic new image to see you through Christmas and the New Year. You might end up with a change of colour, length, or a different style completely. Scary? Maybe, but if you’re going to do it, when better than with one of the country’s top hairdressers at your disposal – and all for free! If you’re not lucky enough to be
picked for the chop, there will be great tips and tricks, plus the chance to question the experts on all aspects of hair care. Model Behaviour Really good at walking? Tall? Good skin, hair, your own teeth? Then why not check out the Model Masterclass. Sessions are held throughout the event, and will invest you with all the skills you need to try to make it as a top model. From tips on how to give good catwalk, to perfecting your posing and posture, even if you’re not going to make a living as a clothes horse, this is a great way to increase your confidence and get a taste of what model living is all about. Taking part might even increase your chances of getting scouted by one of the top model agencies attending the event. Also in attendance are finalists from Britain and Ireland’s ‘Next Top Model’. You can see them strut their stuff on the catwalk, beautifully filling out some couture gowns. The ladies will be modelling a range of gorgeous fashions as part of the Designer Catwalk Show. Styled up by a secret ex-fashion editor from one of the top glossy fashion magazines, the show will give you a sneak peek at all the glamorous gowns before the stars wear them on the red carpet. There will also be tips and techniques live from the stage with
We’ve got the lowdown on what’s happening at this year’s event, so you can choose what shows and stores and are a must see.
commentary from industry experts. By the end of your visit, you’ll know how to work it. Book It If you want to combine all the glamour with some culture, then take a trip to the books lounge. There will be loads of books to buy, plus a chance to find out what’s going to be on the bestseller list. Run by popular books blog Books and the City, this is the best way to find out what you should be reading now you’ve finished the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy. As well as some great fiction, there are real life stories from Jessie J and Sam Faier of TOWIE fame to poke your nose into. And for the real chick lit fans out there, five fabulous authors – Milly Johnson, Ali Harris, Helen Warner, Louise Fennell and Rebecca Chance, will be in the lounge on Saturday talking about their novels and giving you tips on how to start your own book. If you’re a fashion fan, there is something for you to discover at the Clothes Show, and if all the fabulous events and opportunities to shop aren’t enough, there is also an array of celebrities to get over-excited about. Face of the show Daisy Lowe will be there, as well as headliners JLS, who will be opening all the Fashion Theatre shows on Monday. You can get up close and personal with Gemma Collins, Lauren Goodger and Amy Childs from reality show TOWIE. Music comes from JLS, Danny Shah, Times Red and Stooshe. Of course, the real stars of the show will be the designers, hairdressers and stylists who make the fashion magic happen. You’ll get the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of John Rocha, Lee Stafford, Aliza Reger, Bora Aksu, Caryn Franklin, Karl Willet and many more. Get yourself down to the Clothes Show Live this year to get your fashion fix.
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Microsoft Windows 8. New kid on the block as far as operating systems go. Windows 8 is a refresh from Microsoft that goes a long way to forgiving the misery of upgrades like Vista. Log-in and boot times are fast, apps on the desktop look great and the sync feature is seamless between devices (tablet, phone). Tiles on the desktop represent apps and you can use gestures to move or re-size. A real contender to Apple's iOS and a bold software move that will win many fans. windows.microsoft.com
to returned y Pi Raspberr citement me in on and ex first ti for the Innovati og cr in mi ut comp Pi. A British spberry on th the Ra Linux software years wi kes that runs st (£22) ma er co ut e mp co nip, th ge ch ek m ge Ar w e e ne ol wh a UK-mad ds a ea ing to d tech-h o it appeal enthusiasts an de vi HD of ing. mm ra , og eration ty ectivi to get pr rnet conn ion, who want he at et uc d r ed B an fo US , ly ut in tp ma ou s to designed who love anyone the Pi is appeal to but will . ay d pl plug an rg berrypi.o www.rasp
uncrate.com Stuff, uber stuff, for men. Well, for anyone, but this site is aimed squarely at the fella who thinks he has the Bond gene. Probably wouldn't be worth a second glance except the stuff is so damn cool. Slanted toward the US (all prices are in dollars) but in the age of the global market you'll be able to find all of these products easily online. openculture.com Curators at Open Culture bring you the best of the web in video, audiobooks, e-books and free courses. Learn a new language or how to program a smartphone, watch Hitchcock movies or read a life-changing novel. A life-hack curation site that links to MIT, Stanford and Yale universities as well as TED and other web education resources. Essential.
Beaglebone eLike the Raspberry Pi the Beagl sized bone is a low-cost credit-card the with cts conne that ter compu Android internet and runs Linux or when 4.0. Excellent functionality s – you you add cape plug-in board es. devic e mobil can build your own and Boasts a powerful ARM A8 chip Techies a 3D graphics accelerator. to will delight at its potential location plug into robotics projects, ve massi or and pressure sensors, video walls. beagleboard.org/bone
environmentalgraffiti.com So many ‘cool’ things sites, but environ mental graffiti chooses its content with care. Vintage postcards of geisha, stunnin g pictures of the Karijini National Park in Western Australia and images from abandoned mansions. Eclectic and genuin ely alternative, you’ll certainly find a subject to pique your curiosity. design-milk.com All that’s new in architecture, interio r design, fashion and technology. Whether you simply wanted ideas to kit out your home, incredible lampshades and wood-burners or designs for your own build, it’s all here. Inside interviews too with top designe rs including Wayne Hemingway of Red or Dead and Ariel Ashe of Ashe and Leandro.
usesthis.com whose Simple but extremely effective site cutting basis is interviewing people at the it’s edge in their chosen discipline, whether asking then and music, cuisine, hacking or and the them what how they do what they do you equipment they use to create it. Gives kit the and success to tips inside the real you might need to achieve it. afar.com itinCollaborative travel guide featuring top tips eraries, incredible photography and Check . for a city break, trek or rail journey kids, out the best museums in Europe for is discover what five days on Easter Island a trip really like, or get the inside info on shop, eat, into up Divided City. to Mexico life drink, stay and do categories. Real travel stories and reviews.
Asus Vivobook S400 A 14-inch touchscreen laptop rocking a two-tone metal chassis, 4Gb of RAM and 500Gb hard disk as standard, sporting Intel's i3, i5 or i7 processor. No Bluetooth but USB 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI output and WiFi. Thin, light and funky looking, it is a perfect marriage with Windows 8. Build quality is superb. Get to grips with it and you won't be disappointed. www.asus.com/vivo/en/vivoBook.htm
HP Spectre XT Like it was hewn from a single chunk of aluminium the XT ‘ultrabook’ is sturdy, light and good looking. Great connectivity with USB 3.0 and HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0 and dual band WiFi. Performance is boosted by the excellent Ivy Bridge Intel i5 processor and a zippy 128Gb solid state drive. Best buy for office performance with its eight hour battery life. www.hp.com
Dell XPS 12 Looks like a standard laptop, comes with an i5 processor and 4Gb of RAM, but has a 12-inch screen that will flip over and fold down onto its keyboard, turning it into a tablet. Full HD resolution screen that looks the business and would suit touchy feely media types to a tee. Weighing in at an anorexic 1.54kg and rapid start up speed thanks to the 128Gb solid state drive. Next gen at its best. www.dell.com
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 The IdeaPad’s 13-inch screen folds back on itself to make with the tablet magic. i7 processor as standard means Windows 8 boots quickly off the 128Gb or 256Gb solid state drive. Makes light work of most tasks, looks great and promises eight hours battery life to make sure you get your fill of social networking or office admin. www.lenovo.com
Western Digital MyBook Thunderbolt Duo Rapid storage has never looked better on your desktop. A dual-drive device (thought you'll need a Thunderbolt port on your computer) that comes in 4, 6 and 8 terabyte models (1Tb = 1,000Gb). A bit of a beast but blisteringly fast. Ideal for storing digital video. www.wdc.com
Gunnar Optiks computer eyewear Yellow-tinted and curved lenses give the wearer an excellent alternative to the screen burn of staring at a brightly lit computer screen all day. Softens the the high intensity emitted from monitors and fluorescent lights. A crystalline version for anyone needing to distinguish carefully between colours. Feel the burn no more. www.gunnars.com
FILM & TV Hot flicks and TV series on DVD and Blu-ray.
MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE The Avengers are the superheroes supergroup put together by Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. and consisting of Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye. They are formed to save the world from Loki (of being Thor’s brother fame) and his army of darkness. With a sequel already in the pipeline for 2015 this is a must have. MOONRISE KINGDOM Wes Anderson is back and drier than a bag of autumn leaves with his latest offering 'Moonrise Kingdom'. The supporting cast is amazing (Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton) but it’s the leading characters of Sam and Suzy who are the show stealers. A young runaway love story that turns into a whimsical manhunt on a quaint island off the coast of New England. TO ROME WITH LOVE An ensemble cast starring the director himself lay the kooky romance on thick in Woody Allen’s new flick. Set in and around the meandering cobbled streets of Rome we follow a handful of couples and their intertwining relationships while taking in the enchantment of this Italian city. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES The final instalment in the 'Dark Knight' trilogy brings us the brute of Bane and the bum of Catwoman. It is eight years later and masked man Bane is terrorising Gotham City. Batman must return from hiding, having taken blame for the death of DA Harvey Dent, but this time he must be stronger than ever if he is to protect the city that still views him as the enemy. TARANTINO XX BOX SET A collection of highly acclaimed and controversial director Quentin Tarantino’s films. The most complete collection available which includes ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘True Romance’, ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Jackie Brown’, ‘Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2’, ‘Death Proof’ and ‘Inglourious Basterds’.
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN An epic re-imagining of the Brothers Grimm fairytale starring mean and moody Kristen Stewart as Snow White and chiselled blonde Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman. Having been locked up by the evil queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) Snow White manages to escape into the woods. She and her hunter turned protector are joined by a clan of dwarves as they bid to destroy the queen. RED DWARF – SERIES X We return to the crew of the vessel mining ship Red Dwarf 13 years since the last full series. Lister, Rimmer, Kryten and the Cat are looking decidedly more grey around the edges but the jokes and story lines hark back to the original brilliance we all loved. Jesus, quantum entanglement and romantic links with snack dispensers are a few of the themes. MAD MEN: SEASON 1-5: THE WHISKEY GLASS EDITION Nothing’s cooler than going back to the 1950s and 60s with the whiskey drinking, chain smoking, philandering advertisement head honchos of Madison Avenue, New York City. This box set takes you through all five of the current seasons of Mad Men so sit back, relax, and fill up your glass. This one’s for Don! 100 YEARS OF UNIVERSAL: 100 Movie Collection Box Set Universal Studies is commemorating the celebration of its 100th anniversary with the release of this quite amazing box set. From such classics as 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 'Citizen Kane', 'Rear Window' and 'Bride of Frankenstein' to 'Jaws', 'Schindler's List', 'The Blues Brothers' and 'Scarface' and right the way through to 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas', 'The Big Lebowski', 'Apollo 13' and 'Gladiator'. A truly glorious collection.
GAME TIME
Console yourself with this choice selection of video games from first-person shooters to perilous platformers.
<<<<CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II (PC, PS3, XBOX 360) The sequel to one of the biggest games of all time, 'Black Ops II' has a lot to live up to. This version of the game feature two connected storylines, the first led by Alex Mason (from the original Black Ops) going through the Cold War of the 1970s and 80s. The second features Mason’s son David and is set in the year 2025 in a futuristic war between China and the United States.
HALO 4 (XBOX 360) >>>> Master Chief is back and looking more bad-ass than ever in the fourth instalment of the Halo franchise. Fighting against the Covenant once again and introducing the Prometheans to the fight, 'Halo 4' follows Master Chief and Cortana as they crash land on the surface of planet Requiem and the battle that ensues as they attempt to destroy the evil forces and save the universe.
<<<< BATTLEFIELD 3 (PC, PS3, XBOX 360) Lauded by critics and a serious challenger to 'Black Ops II', the new 'Battlefield' game is a tour de force. A superior game engine gives procedural destruction with realistic ballistics and vehicles and lifelike character animations. Playing as a US Marine you fight across the globe, taking in Iran, Paris, and New York while attempting to safely return another US squad.
FIFA 13 >>>> (PC, PS3, XBOX 360, Wii U) Every year brings a new incarnation of the FIFA legacy, but does the latest version bring anything new to the pitch? The answer is a resounding 'yes'. The new feature in 'FIFA 13' is the First Touch Control addition meaning you will have to brush up on your skill and control when running on to that beautiful through ball. It’s time to pull on Messi’s boots.
<<<< MAX PAYNE 3 (PC, PS3, XBOX 360) You know a new outing from Rockstar Games is going to pack a punch and the character of Max Payne defines them perfectly. In the third instalment Max is a few years older and retired from the NYPD. He spends his days drowning his sorrows with booze and painkillers, alone on the streets of São Paulo, Brazil after taking a job protecting the wealthy Rodrigo Branco. But then Branco’s wife is kidnapped by a street gang and the action really starts.
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. U (Wii U) >>>> The end of November brought with it the release of the new Nintendo Wii U, and with that the obligatory must-have 'Super Mario Bros' game to add to your collection. With the Wii U console incorporating a 6.2” screen into the controller this offers a novel way of playing Mario and Luigi and the gang – you can play with the TV off. But as this is Mario's first high-definition incarnation you'll probably keep it widescreen.
<<<< JOURNEY (PS3) From the guys behind the 'flOw' and 'Flower' titles, 'Journey' is up there as one of the most innovative titles of the year, considered a work of art by many. This game takes you on an adventure as a robed figure through a vast desert and towards a light-speared mountain in the distance as you walk, glide and fly to discover who you are, where you are and your true purpose.
>>>> ANGRY BIRDS: STAR WARS (iOS, Android) Without a doubt the biggest and most popular game apps out there are the 'Angry Birds' series. With the announcement of new Star Wars films to be made following the Disney takeover comes 'Angry Birds: Star Wars' edition, casting the Angry Birds as the rebels and the bad piggies as the empire. iOS – £0.69, Android – Free
LISTINGS... Eating Out Bites to Delight: Britains Best Eateries FILL up at any one of our pick of the UK’s best eateries, whether you want a taste of the orient or plain old fashioned British pub grub, there’s a restaurant, bar or pub serving up fine dining experiences. Top London Eateries Bull & Last Modern gastropub dishing up countrystyled fare on the busy Highgate Road. Roast Cornish cod loin, sumptuous lamb rump with caramelised artichokes and girolles mushrooms, rib sticking mains that perfectly complement artful starters. Finish off with an incredible range of homemade ice creams or the distinguished cheese board. www.thebullandlast.co.uk 168 Highgate Road, London NW5 1QS Tube: Kentish Town, Gospel Oak
Momo Moroccan glamour at Momo served with Maghrebi music in the beautifully ornate dining space. Enticing menu offering a range of traditional tagines and couscous alongside incredible fish and meat grills – honey roast quail, saddle of lamb, merguez sausage. www.momoresto.com 25 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BH Tube: Piccadilly Circus Hawksmoor Seven Dials Premier site for those in search of the perfect cocktail and steak, this former fruit warehouse has some bountiful British fare. Not the cheapest but has a rep as the best steakhouse in town bar none. Grills that will leave your head spinning. www.thehawksmoor.com 11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG Tube: Covent Garden
Mosob A taste of Eritrea offering cuisine from Ethiopia, Sudan and Arabia. Tuck into your injera bread without cutlery, soaking up a delicious range of marinaded meats, okra stew and beef, and a huge range of spiced vegetarian specialities. www.mosob.co.uk 339 Harrow Road, London W9 3RB Tube: Westbourne Park Medlar French fancy that is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Does anyone do this better than our gallic cousins? Your questions will be answered at this incredible Kings Road restaurant.
Www .medlarrestaurant.co.uk 438 Kings Road, London SW10 0LJ Tube: Fulham Broadway Pitt Cue Co. Hip BBQ venue in Newburgh Street just off Carnaby – go early and queue as there are only 30 seats available and no reservations system – best ribs anywhere in London. Enough said. www.pittcue.co.uk/welcome.html 1 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RB Tube: Oxford Circus Gelupo Artisan ice-cream – offshoot from Bocca Di Luppo restaurant making amazing gelato and sorbetto – sublime flavours and constantly changing menu. Boasts the most exuberant taste of Italy this side of the Alps. www.gelupo.com 7 Archer Street, London W1D 7AU Tube: Piccadilly Circus Info: 0207 287 5555
Roka Contemporary Japanese cuisine – one to spoil yourself with as it’s quite pricey. Central Robata grill where chefs prepare food in front of you. Located in Charlotte Street near Russell Square, and another in Canary Wharf (if you must). www.rokarestaurant.com 37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR Tube: Goodge Street Info: 0207 580 6464 La Fromagerie Cheesey heaven – a cheese shop with walk in cheese room and tables so that you can eat what you choose. Relaxed, you have to share space but it’s worth it.
Sophisticated choice of wine or beer. www.lafromagerie.co.uk 2-6 Moxon Street, Marylebone, W1U 4EW 30 Highbury Park, London N5 2AA Vinoteca Wine store with restaurant – cant fault the food in this place – clever, seasonal and always really well executed – book to avoid disappointment. Incredible seafood with a list of more than 300 wines. www.vinoteca.co.uk/marylebone 15 Seymour Place, London W1H 5BD Tube: Marble Arch Info: 0207 724 7288 Caribbean Scene Nutritious, healthy and of course delicious range of dishes from the Caribbean islands. Three fantastic outlets in London; Royale in the Docklands, offering the ultimate ‘Carib-chic cuisine experience’, plus a family eatery and a ‘grab and go’ outlet in Stratford.
www.caribbeanscene.co.uk 17 Western Gateway, London E16 1AQ Tube: Royal Victoria (DLR) Info: 0207 511 2023 Piazza WC2 A brilliantly unassuming Italian restaurant by Leicester square tube. Specialises in a fantastic range of Italian dishes including chargrilled meats, pizzas, succulent fish dishes and amazing fresh pasta. Incredible mussel dish with a sublime sauce – one of the best dishes we have ever tasted. www.piazza-restaurant.co.uk Tube: Leicester Square 0207 379 6867
Around the UK: Birmingham Las Iguanas A contemporary approach to traditional, hearty Mexican cuisine, retaining powerful flavours and colourful dishes while offering a more refined
watercress and grilled mushrooms. www.jamieoliver.com/italian/birmingham
menu and cosy ambience. Hard to find fault. www.pinocchiositalianrestaurant.co.uk
Shabab Situated in Birmingham’s famous Balti Triangle Shabab’s is brilliant, offering amazing food and great, courteous service. Fabulous mixed grill starter of tikka chicken, lamb and fish cooked to perfection. Main course dishes are served in traditional Indian copper pots. www.shababs.co.uk
Akbars Brilliantly priced, high quality South Asian food is what you get every time. Lives up to its claim ‘King of Curry!’ Tasty chicken, keema, lamb and prawn baltis; seafood, vegetable and meat starters as well as vegetarian options akbars.co.uk/birmingham
The Hotel Latour’s. Aalto Restaurant. One of the best, on every level. Food of the highest quality and the service matches. Modern-classic English dishes – beef rib-eye steak, confit belly of lamb, plus a fantastic array of exquisite starters and desserts. hotel-latour.co.uk/restaurant/ The White Swan Warm and hearty atmosphere with a vast range of dishes to choose from. Cuisine includes classic British, Italian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean. Extensive drinks menu. One to watch out for. www.thewhiteswanpub.com Piccolino Piccolino doesn’t disappoint. Service here (and at sister restaurant Bank) is of the highest standard. Sublime fish (delivered fresh, every day). Part of the Individual Restaurant Company, a mark of quality. www.individualrestaurants.com/piccolino/
approach. The Taco sharing tray, ‘The Enchilada’, gambas (prawn soup) and calamari starter are the best of many highlights. www.iguanas.co.uk Haweli A hidden gem located within a small shopping parade on Hagley Road. Homely, family-run Indian restaurant with dishes that thoroughly exceed the expectations of this unassuming eatery. Service is brilliant. Highlights include king prawn curry, succulent lamb chops, and a fantastic okra curry. www.thehaweli.co.uk Jamie’s Italian The Naked Chef continues his famous ethic of simple rustic dishes packed with flavour in his first high-street venture, Jamie’s Italian. Waiters thoroughly explain and suggest various dishes. Try salami or crispy squid with a hearty Angus sirloin steak, dressed in peppery
Bank Gracious waiting staff at Bank create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, sometimes hard to find in a quality fine-dining establishment. Fantastic fixed and a la carte menus with sublime pasta and risottos dishes. Incredible cocktails too. www.individualrestaurants.com/bank/ Chennai Dosa High quality south Indian food, quality service and brilliant value for money. Indian Dosas are pancake-like dishes served with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options such as potatoes and fried onions, mutton or chicken. www.chennaidosa.com Cielo Deemed ‘the finest Italian restaurant in Birmingham’, it lives up to its reputation. Recommended dishes include the Barnsley Lamb chop, smoked salmon starter and seared black pearl scallops. Pricing is incredible at £15.95 for three courses. www.cielobirmingham.com Pinocchio Italian cuisine in a relaxed and friendly setting. If you’ve never had veal, this is definitely the place to try it. Well-priced
Hennessey’s Bar Great dishes ranging from, homemade burgers, delicious soups and grilled meats to tortilla wraps, buffalo wings and salads, Excellent bar service – create your own bespoke menu. Casual dining at its best. www.hennesseysbar.com SoBar Vibrant spot bursting with character and a sophisticated atmosphere. Offers a menu of delicious gourmet burgers and pizzas, an expansive cocktail list and an eclectic musical mix. Perfect place to chill out, day or night. www.sobar.co.uk La Scala Located in Sutton Coldfield, its intimate atmosphere and fine décor certainly impresses visually; and taste-wise it delivers. Prides itself on using the freshest and finest ingredients, accompanied by a selection of fine Italian wines. www.lascalasutton.co.uk Cafe Soya Exciting restaurant at the heart of Birmingham’s Chinatown, offering an intriguingly tasty Chinese-Vietnamese cuisine. An impressive philosophy of ‘happiness starts with healthy eating’ twinned with a welcoming family atmosphere and delicious food. www.cafesoya.co.uk Zizzi Zizzi, the Gondola group’s finest offering, showcases fantastic Italian cuisine. An expansive menu of pizza and pasta dishes, a tasty selection of meat and fish courses and immense calzones – folded and stuffed pizza. www.zizzi.co.uk Nando’s We visited two of the best newly refurbished restuarants in both Lothian Road, Edinburgh and Broad Street, Birmingham. By now almost everyone knows (or can at least appreciate) the greatness and unique take on food that Nando’s provides. World famous flame-grilled Peri-Peri Chicken is served in burgers, pittas, wraps, salads or just classically on a simple plate with great sides. Rules the roost. www.nandos.co.uk Left: Gelupo, Right:Bull & Last
Ming Moon Pan-Asian buffet in the heart of Birmingham’s Chinatown district. Dishes from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Thailand. Impressive Teppanyaki counter where skilled chefs cook your selected ingredients to perfection in front of you before placing them on a beautifully decorated plate. www.mingmoon.co.uk Blue Mango Situated on Broad Street in Birmingham and serving up high quality Indian dishes with a twist. The ambience inside is refined, welcoming and suited to a family night out. Spacious and comfortable booths, excellent bar and appetiser service. www.bluemangobirmingham.co.uk Ask Great food and gracious staff. All of the dishes we tried were fantastic but the pastas in particular were excellent. We strongly recommend giving Ask a visit for its superb take on Italian – now with new menus and decor www.askitalian.co.uk Amazon Brazil Exciting Brazilian cuisine offered using a fantastic buffet system where you can flip your ‘indicator’ to green to have a constant flow of perfectly grilled meats (chicken, beef, pork and lamb) brought to your table – switch it to red when you are full to the brim. Carnivores unite. www.amazonbrazilrestaurants.com Pizza Express One of the most popular places in the UK to go for pizza, and don’t they do it well. A marvellous range of dishes to choose from; great pastas, fresh salads and they now serve a variety of ‘Leggera Pizzas’ which have only 500 calories each – as well as mini desserts – for the calorie conscious. www.pizzaexpress.com Carluccio’s Extensive Italian menu that includes the breakfast, ‘small Italian plates’ and a gluten-free range. You can even order their picnic hampers online. ‘Noisy about food’ they say, passionate about authenticity. This place is a must visit. www.carluccios.com Shimla Pinks One of Birmingham’s most renowned Indian restaurants, marries traditional and modern Indian food in spectacular fashion. Intimate atmosphere and perfect service dedicated to providing you the best in Indian cuisine. Classic and modern dishes including thalis and north Indian tandoori sizzling specialities. www.shimlapinks.com I Love Crust For well prepared and delicious food for those who need fast service with a
smile. Look no further. Downstairs you could sample the full coffee shop and deli experience on offer. Upstairs the traditional wood fired pizza oven serves up a great variety of full flavoured pizzas that are hard to beat! We also love the Steak Burgers, Hot Wings and phenomenal creamy Milk Shakes! You could also now try their convenient delivery service. Very satisfying! www.ilovecrust.com
Al Faisal’s Indian-Kashmiri Restaurant & Piatto Italian Restaurant Situated in the famed Balti Triangle. Family-run business, each dish served with its own individual sauce. Rare for an Indian eatery. Most dishes also include their own specially prepared accompaniment. Chicken Boti, meat samosa or vegetarian dishes like Chana Chaat and Aloo Tikka. Utterly delicious. www.alfaisal.co.uk
Jimmy Spices Taking inspiration from world food Jimmy Spices is a culinary voyage around the globe. An extensive selection of cuisines from the Americas, Europe, India, and the Far and Middle East. An open-plan buffet with a free and easy atmosphere that makes it perfect for almost any occasion. www.jimmyspices.co.uk
The Fighting Cocks Homely and relaxing pub surroundings offering four cask marque real ales, 17 speciality beers, lagers and ciders. Reminiscent of an upmarket Chelsea bistro style pub. Handmade burgers and hearty ox-cheek pie. Ample dessert list: Black Forest trifle, apple and rhubarb crumble or salted caramel tart. Truly a special option for all. www.thefightingcocksmoseley.co.uk
Bella Venezia Showing off an incredible and authentic Italian cuisine, including dishes such as the highly recommended avocado and prawns, vitello pizzaiola (a sublime veal dish) and their immensely tasty selection of pizzas. Has a refined yet rustic atmosphere and attentive staff. 0121 444 6699 Hennessey’s Bar Comfortable bar with meals from light bites to quality cooked meals. Great pub grub, steak and ale pie with mash or a tasty traditional Sunday roast. One of the best pubs in Birmingham for drinks and a full dining experience. www.hennesseysbar.com La Banca, 1896 Pershore Road, Birmingham. Easily one of the best Italian restaurants in Birmingham. Well priced food for such a high standard. Frito Misto seafood platter followed by Stinco di Agnello Brasato slow braised lamb shank cooked in red wine, balsamic and cranberry sauce. Try it and please spread the word. www.labanca.co.uk Beefeater Bar and Grill, 176-184 Hagley Road, Birmingham. Chargrilled food, fresh and cooked to perfection. Juicy steaks, grills and starters including spicy chicken wings or crumbed Portobello mushrooms. Highest standards at an affordable price. www.beefeatergrill.co.uk Gallery Bar and Restaurant Selfridges’ Gallery Bar and Restaurant is the perfect spot for something special at an affordable price. Seasonal menu including fish cakes, homemade soups, well rested succulent steaks, freshly made salads, sweet baked figs on homemade brioche and slow cooked blade of beef. Dining at the highest standard. www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/ BirminghamRestaurantGuide/
North East Handmade Burger Company (Metro Centre, Gateshead) Handmade has almost singlehandedly helped to change the image of burger eating into one with more healthy and natural connotations. Styles and flavours come from places such as Mexico, Morocco, the Caribbean and even Japan. Well-priced menu and fantastic service. Ethically sourced Scottish beef patties with delicious accompaniments. www.handmadeburger.co.uk Rodizio Rico Simple yet effective, the formula for this Brazilian restaurant is a winner. Choose a starter from freshly prepared salads and street foods. Waiters serve up mains table to table slicing marinated grilled meats from skewers right onto your plate. Rump cap steak, chicken oyster thigh and hearts: delicious and highly recommended. www.rodiziorico.com Thai Edge Excellent regional cuisines. Richer milder flavours from the north and spicy dishes from the south. Try stir fried beef with chilli and basil main and our favourite dessert Kaow Neow Ma Muang, made with mango, coconut flavoured sticky rice, coconut cream and mango ice cream. Will not disappoint. www.thaiedge.co.uk The Oriental Bar and Restaurant Dishes from Malaysia, Thailand and China. Beef rendang, Tom Yam soup, Thai green curry and Nasi Goreng. Incredible starters salt and chilli soft shell crab, whole deep fried crab and steamed scallops. Generous portions, excellent service. www.theoriental.uk.com
LISTINGS... Shopping
Boutiques, markets and shopping centres aplenty. The UK has much to please the dedicated consumer whether you are bashing the plastic or just browsing. Pictured: Camden Market Unpackaged Founded by Catherine Conway in 2006, the concept is simple – organic products where you bring the containers to fill up. Incredible range of stock from delicious organic oils and vinegars to household products and reusable containers. Deli is a winner. Cafe and bar serve up cooked local seasonal dishes. www.beunpackaged.com Tube: Hackney Central Junky Styling Self taught designers Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager founded this superb fashion outlet based on recycling second-hand clothes back in 1997. Has a ‘wardrobe surgery’ service where customers can bring in their own clothes to be transformed. Totally stylish and funky garments. www.junkystyling.co.uk Tube: Hoxton, Shoreditch High Street 0207 247 1883 Portobello Market London’s most famous outdoor market, well known for its vintage fashion and antiques. If that sounds like your cup of tea, take a step back in time and lose yourself in the past. The market is open every Saturday and some stalls are open throughout the week. www.portobellomarket.org Tube: Notting Hill Gate
Camden Market One of London’s top tourist attractions, trading goods from all over the world. Notorious for its kooky ways, Camden Market is the place to go for crazy coloured hair dye, quirky accessories or tshirts guaranteed to make your friends embarrassed to be seen with you. www.camden-market.org Tube: Camden Town, Chalk Farm Road Liberty Styling itself as one of the last great emporiums for innovative and eclectic design, this home furnishings and fashion store has been at the heart of London’s shopping experience. Combines heritage with avant-garde, a large dash of eccentricity and stunning women’s and men’s clothing, beauty products and accessories www.liberty.co.uk Tube: Oxford Circus 0207 734 1234 Covent Garden Drop your bags, stand and appreciate breathtaking acts. You won’t be alone. An array of singers, jugglers and acrobats never fail to attract a crowd. Once you’ve torn yourself away from the display, slip down a side road or two to browse everything from midpriced chains to high-end designer shops, or go antique hunting. Open all week from 10am until 6pm. www.coventgardenlondonuk.com
Oxford Street One of the few places you can expect to find both Primark and Selfridges. So whether you want to bag yourself a bargain, or buy a pair of shoes that ‘are an investment really’, you can find what you’re looking for in one of the 500 shops on this famous strip. www.oxfordstreet.co.uk Tube: Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Marble Arch Run and Become Assuage your inner fitness fanatic at this comprehensive running emporium. All the latest shoes, clothing and accessories to take you from jogging for the bus to committed marathon specialist. Offers an excellent personal service with gait analysis and staff that have put in the miles. www.runandbecome.com Tube: St James’s Park 0207 222 1314 The Bullring Located in the heart of Birmingham, just over an hour on the train from London. A versatile shopping centre that answers to your every whim with its variety of clothing brands, jewellery designers, techno gear and everything mainstream. All wrapped up in the finery of its modern architecture. www.bullring.co.uk Train: Birmingham New Street 0121 632 1526
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LISTINGS... Visual Arts Art Galleries and Museums London hosts a world-class collection of art works. Sculpture, photography, painting, digital art and fine architecture are showcased in venues around our cultural capital.
National Portrait Gallery Sculpture, drawing, photography and painting of famous historical figures. Until February the NPG hosts the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, featuring the best in photographic portraits. Our love affair with Marilyn Monroe is also highlighted in a major exhibition of photography from British snappers. www.npg.org.uk St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE Tube: Leicester Square, Charring Cross Info: 0207 306 0055
National Gallery Displaying more than 2,000 western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century, including Leonardo da Vinci, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Turner and Rembrandt. Until January ‘Seduced By Art’ looks at photography past and present alongside a retrospective of Brit painter Richard Hamilton’s later works. www.nationalgallery.co.uk Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square Info: 0207 747 2885
Somerset House Houses the world famous Courtauld Collection, ranging from Gothic and
medieval art through Baroque and impressionist painters to the present day. ‘Valentino: Master of Couture’ is a showcase of exquisite designs worn by icons such as Sophia Loren, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, offering a peek into the secret world of Italian couture. Until March 2013. www.somersethouse.org.uk Strand, London WC2R 1LA Tube: Temple Info: 0207 845 4600
Royal Academy The RA hosts three towering figures of English landscape painting and one Japanese contemporary artist until February 2013. Constable, Turner and Gainsborough’s work offers a lesson in the sublime and often tempestuous art of landscape oil painting. Mariko Mori’s sculptures are here for her first major exhibition in London for 14 years, entitled ‘Rebirth’. www.royalacademy.org.uk Burlington House, London W1J 0BD Tube: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park Info: 0207 300 8000
Tate Britain and Tate Modern Two galleries, two distinct characters. Modern has an iconoclastic factory feel, while Britain is classical and sedate. Britain holds masterpieces by Hogarth, Bacon, Whistler, Millais and Turner. Modern has Picasso, Rothko, Dali, Matisse and Cezanne. The Turner Prize returns to the Tate Modern this year (until January 2013), plus a major exhibition on painting and performance featuring Pollock and David Hockney. www.tate.org.uk Britain: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG Tube: Pimlico, Vauxhall
Modern: Bankside, London SE1 9TG Tube: Southwark, Blackfriars Info: 0207 887 8888
Hayward Gallery The only gallery in the world designed in the Brutalist style of architecture. Not easy on the eye, but a reputation to envy. Video installations from the intriguing George Eksts, entitled ‘Incredible Utility’ until February 2013. www.hayward.org.uk Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XZ Tube: Waterloo, Embankment Info: 0207 960 4242
Saatchi Gallery Contemporary art curated by one of London’s most famous collectors. As well as the physical site there is an excellent online gallery and art store. Until May 2013 the gallery features an expansive collection of work from Soviet-era Russia. ‘Breaking the Ice’ features Moscow Art 1960-1980s until February. www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk King’s Road, London SW3 4RY Tube: Sloane Square V&A Probably London’s best permanent exhibition of sculpture, design pieces, ancient, classical and modern art. ‘Light from the Middle East’ features new photography from the region until April 2013, or appreciate the glamour of Hollywood costumes until January. www.vam.ac.uk Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL Tube: South Kensington Info: 0207 942 2000